SAt NaV | Brinewall | Current Location
The track the caravan follows passes about half a mile east of Brinewall’s outer limits, continuing north and crossing the Steam River into the Nolands over a weathered wood-and-stone bridge. An old signpost about a hundred yards south of this bridge reads, "To Brinewall," and points down an overgrown trail that winds through a forest. This track quickly fades away entirely into the undergrowth and further progress toward the ruined village must be made on foot. Sandru stops the caravan near the river and with help from Koya and Ameiko, begins setting up camp for an extended stay.
As the camp is being set up, Draeven does a circuitous scout of the surrounding area looking for sign of recent activity or predators in the vicinity.
After helping set up the camp, Rennyn gathers the others to come up with a plan. Looking at the sun sunk low in the sky he remarks, Not much daylight left. We could perhaps do a little scouting towards the town. Get the general lay of the land, but I don't think we want to do any real exploring in the dark.
Who will go and who will stay?
With the coming dark i would suggest those of us who can see without the use or torches would be best traveling quietly as well would be a boon. Perhaps Draeven and myself?
SAt NaV | Brinewall | Current Location
While Draeven stalks the perimeter, Shalelu does the same; tracing out a circle in the opposite direction from the half-orc's. Where they cross paths, the elf quietly signals the 'all clear' before continuing to complete her circuit. Likewise, Draeven has little of note to pass on to Shalelu.
Back at the camp, Sandru yawns audibly in the background. Not because he's bored. Driving a cart all day is mentally taxing work and the caravaner isn't as young as he used to be. The last thing on his mind is gearing up for a hike.
Returning to the campfire from seeing to the horses, Ameiko listens intently to Rennyn and Kenan's thoughts of a possible scouting mission before adding, Sorry boys, as much as I'd like to, I'm not very good in the dark without a good torch. The tian pauses to rub an ache out of her hip then adds enthusiastically, You can count on me tomorrow though! In the quiet that follows she looks expectantly at the two warriors to come up with a decision.
SAt NaV | Brinewall | Current Location
Thirty years of overgrowth all but conceals any traces of the road which once lead into Brinewall. Were it not for the unnatural contour speaking to the man made nature of this part of the forest, most would be hard pressed to say this was the way had the old wooden sign been removed. But not for Draeven. His experience in the wilds means the half-orc could have followed this path blindfolded. Unfortunately, the road's lack of use and the absence of anyone to maintain the lane means it would take a logging team an entire day to clear a path suitable for the wagons to travel upon. While simple to follow, there is something else. The area feels wrong. The further west the group travels, the more this feeling nags at you.
It is the lack of significant sign of hunting game. In an area of forest such as this, left wild and devoid of any interference from man, animal spoor should be prevalent. But this is not the case. Instead, what signs are present are as one would expect to find in forests neighboring heavily populated areas. In short, a lot of hunting is going on here. Enough to have diminished the animal population to a lower than normal level for these parts.
Half a mile down the wooded track, a ruined building comes into view. Set at a point where the Steam River spills into a larger body of water before merging with Bunyip Bay further to the west, it was perhaps once a building of some importance. It is little more than an empty shell now. Judging from the size of its footprint, the circular layout and its proximity to the shore of the lagoon, this was once a lighthouse. Vegetation grows wildly around and within this structure suggesting its roof had caved in many years ago.
While searching the rubble around the structure you locate a partially crushed strongbox. Infested by rust, it is not hard to open. Inside are 93 gold coins.
Moving through the trees and undergrowth Draeven begins to understand his feeling of uneasiness. Where are the animals? he whispers to no one in particular. Stopping every so often he drops to a knee and examines the ground, or looks at the leaves of a bush or to peer skyward at the trees above. After a short while he concludes in the same hushed voice, Something is hunting this forest heavily.
Standing tall he nocks an arrow while peering around in all directions while muttering, So much for this area being "abandoned".
When they reach the lighthouse Draeven scrambles over the rubble to take a look around the ruins of the lighthouse.
Finding the rusty box he gives it an inquistive shake before cracking it open to reveal the coins contained within. This excurions is already profitable, he remarks dryly.
Nodding towards the settlement across the water to the south Rennyn remarks, We'll make our way down there as far as we can before we have to head back to make it to the wagons before sunset.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
The group continues to follow the overgrown forest road. On either side, tall trees threaten to choke what daylight remains and signs of life remain elusive. The road snakes southeast before finally turning back in a westerly direction. And, after ten minutes of picking your way through the labyrinth of saplings and mature trees, the road's growth thins out, opening up like outstretched hands to reveal the village of Brinewall. Cobbled stone replaces the reclaimed gravel path and the shades of more ruined buildings come into view. Among them are signs of what might have been barracks, a smithy, several homes, a structure you recognize as a glassworks (with several architectural designs similar to those of the larger glassworks in Sandpoint owned by Ameiko Kaijitsu), a trading post, and a stable. The two largest ruins are located in the eastern part of town, and consist of a town hall to the north and an almost completely collapsed temple of Desna to the south. Across from the temple is the entrance to the cemetery. A rickety wooden fence surrounds the clearing beyond, but the gates here are made of iron, flanked on either side by statues of a beautiful woman with butterfly wings.
However these details are overshadowed by something far more disturbing. Hundreds of skeletons. An entire village's worth, each sitting atop an equal number of spiked poles. There is no pattern to the arrangement of the poles. Some are in groups, huddled together. Others are spread out or in a kind of circle or some other geometrical shape. Many of the skeletons have fallen to pieces, their joints withered away from decay leaving the bones; ribs, arms, legs, to lay scattered in tiny piles at the foot of each pole. Others are more intact with vertebrae and hollow rib cages clinging to arms or the odd leg. Here and there, bits of jewelry and other mundane metallic objects of little value can be seen. Yet atop every pole there is the unmistakable skull of a human, elf, or dwarf.
Kenan surveys the forest of skeletons as they approach. Well so much for a warm welcome. He whispers under his breath. I guess we know what happened to the villagers.
Did you expect anything else in a cursed and abandoned village?
Draeven squints his eyes at the macabre display. I do find it highly doubtful that these skeletons have weathered sixty years on the poles and that even here, someone or something, hasn't looted even the mundane valuables by now.
Rennyn approaches the graveyard frowning. Goddess Desna! Goddess of luck and travelers! But this? This is not right! He focus' his mind upon the cemetery and searches out for the taint of evil.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
The iron gates swivel quietly on the bolts marrying them to unseemingly sturdy wooden posts. Beyond is a clearing consisting of a low hill upon which nearly two dozen graves have been marked. A stone crypt sits atop the hill to the east. As Rennyn begins his search, he notes the condition of the cemetery grounds is in stark contrast to the ruins of Brinewall. The entire graveyard is unusually well tended. The grass appears to be weeded and the gravestones clean. Near the northern edge of the cemetery one gravestone is set apart from the rest. Upon closer inspection the elf realizes it is in fact a small, well-tended shrine to Lady Luck consisting of a marble statue of the deity holding aloft a small copper bowl.
Someone has been busy... someone friendly hopefully.
Rennyn respectfully examines the gravestones, and approaches the crypt, not entirely sure what he may learn, if anything, from them.
As he looks over the shrine he says, May Lady Luck continue to grace us on our journey of exploration and understanding! He then reverently places a couple gold coins upon the base of the shrine.
Draeven keeps a vigil over the party, eyes scanning back and forth, looking for a potentially hidden foe. I doubt whoever is keeping this place so well tended is ever far away.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
"Here lies Admiral Mercatio Kiameleu, Brinewall’s founding father. 4450 AR". The inscription to the side of the crypt's sealed entry is to the point. Of those words engraved on the rest of the cemetery's markers, the paladin see's nothing out of the ordinary; names of loved ones and their dates of passing.
Admiral Mercatio Kiameleu served Halleck IV, Emperor of Cheliax. He'd received a charter to found a colony in the untamed (and unexploited) frontier region known as Varisia. He chose his first settlement to lie on a wide indefensible beach at the mouth of Conqueror’s Bay 4407 AR. It was attacked and razed to the ground by the Shoanti in 4410 AR. He was demoted and largely fell out of the history books until he founded Brinewall some thirty years later in 4442 AR with the backing of several influential merchants. Kiameleu's track record leaves little assurances of his capacity to make sound decisions.
Although small, the statue of the goddess is almost life sized. Rennyn's coins ring quietly against the stone pedicle of the shrine... whether or not the Tender of Dreams is listening remains to be seen. His prayer finished, Rennyn stands and notices a glint from the within the copper bowl she holds aloft. It still contains water. The most logical explanation is the water collects here naturally with each rainfall, however Rennyn notes the weather has been clear of late and an obvious question is drawn to mind, Shouldn't the water have been reclaimed by the sun?
Rennyn concentrates on the water checking for magical auras.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
Within those deemed worthy, shines the power of the divine. Known throughout Golarion for their prowess in combat, these righteous few are blessed by their deities with powerful boons for use in the fight against of evil. To the lay folk, one of the many miracles Paladins perform is the blessing of waters. Infusing the liquid with their divine light, its qualities burn the flesh of the undead and those truly evil.
Although Rennyn is not capable of performing such miracles, he knows the path he currently treads may one day fill him with the same divine powers as those ahead of him on the path. With the foresight of what lays before him, he can conclude the divine aura infused in this water is holy in origin. From his residency at the Rusty Dragon, Rennyn easily determines there is enough here for three flasks.
The water is blessed. I'm not sure if this is something that just happens to the water that accumulates in the bowl or if our resident caretaker creates it specifically for some purpose. I'm not inclined to disturb the water without permission.
With nothing else to examine and no sign of the one responsible for the state of the cemetery Renny suggests they move on into the town proper and see what they can discover there.
Draeven nods in agreement and moves towards the gate...
Kenan looks on as Rennyn examines the shrine his bow drawn ever so slightly as he watches for any signs of trouble. S
Seeing the other 2 seem satisfied with the cemetery Kenan falls in behind the other 2 as they move towards the gate watching carefully behind the scouting party.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
Weapon drawn, the monk follows his companions back to the cemetery gates. Stepping once more onto the cobblestone streets, the serenity of the tended grounds leaves and the harsh reality of what transpired in Brinewall all those years ago stands once again at the forefront of thoughts.
Following the road north, the path loops around the ruined temple of Desna and the town hall like a figure eight. At it's northern tip, a naturally deep harbor has formed where the waters of the Steam River flow into Bunyip Bay to the west. Two ruined piers extend into the only relatively shallow portion of the harbor here. While both piers are now mostly collapsed, the westernmost one has what appears to be a relatively recent visitor: a Linnorm Kingdoms longship is tied to the pier. The longship seems relatively new, but the vessel is partially destroyed and half-sunken.
A search of the ship reveals significant damage in the form of tremendous claw and scorch marks. One section of the hull has been forced inward, as though it had been rammed apart. The bodies of a dozen bodies (men) clad in Linnorm styled metal armor lay scattered on the partially submerged deck of the ship. Interestingly, most of their feet point in the direction of the damaged (rammed) hull and drawn weapons suggest there was combat here.
From the moorings the change in vantage gives a different view of the lagoon. A collapsed wooden bridge used to span the northern edge of these shallows connecting to the buildings on the other side to this small peninsula. On the lagoon’s northwestern shore, just north of the bridge is an outline of something the size of a house. Covered in blue-green scales it lays perfectly still, submerged just below the water.
The ship is of newer construction and judging from the color of the wood above water, it looks to be no more than five years old.
The ravages of time, decay and marine life have removed most of the flesh from the bodies. A couple appendages above the water as well as scorch marks upon the metallic armor show more than just decay. These show signs of burns powerful enough to scorch bone.
A closer look shows some correlation between the scorch marks of the ship and those of the bones. Although some bodies have shifted, the scorch marks line up similar to the way an arch from a lightning strike hits one target after another.
The rate of decay and the amount of oxidation upon the armor suggests these bodies have been here for two weeks.
Looking down at the partially submerged longship Draeven comments, Someone else has arrived here fairly recently by the looks of it. We know they didn't leave the same way they came, unless there was more than one ship. No signs they attempted to repair this one, or build another, so far. And I doubt they just decided to walk back, he adds with a toothy grin. They might still be here. Or, whatever did that to their ship, may have done worse to them. Either way, I'm not interested in meeting a ship's worth of vikings or the thing(s) that decided to attack them.
Rennyn steps alongside Draeven and peers down at the dock and boat. What do you think brings them here? Now?
Draeven shakes his head. No idea. I advise extra caution...
Kenan looks on at the longship. Maybe the ship has some indication of who came here and why on board.But since I think it is far older than a couple of days we can ignore it and move on.
Kenan looks towards the rest of the town.
I estimate its been here a couple of weeks or so yes. We can check it out later if we wish. It isn't going anywhere.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
Carrying along to the south west of the peninsula, the remains of a collapsed wooden bridge which used to span the northern edge of these shallows bares a toothy maw between the bay and lagoon. It would have connected the buildings on the other side to this small peninsula, but now bits of debris, perhaps less than half its original volume, scatter the shore on either side. As Draeven casts his gaze to the lagoon’s northwestern shore, just south of the bridge, he spies the outline of something the size of a house. Covered in blue-green scales it lays perfectly still, submerged just below the water.
Following the cobblestone's loop to the south, the ruins of the town hall and the temple of Desna stand amidst the hanging remains of the village's occupants.
Draeven uses hand signals to let the others know he sees something in the lagoon as he cautiously moves towards the town hall and temple.
Rennyn looks with interest to the temple, wondering if it will be as maintained as the cemetery.
Kenan nods silently as he looks towards where the half-orc points. Seeing nothing immediately dangerous he silently follows the ranger while continuing to watch the surface of the water.
SAt NaV | Scouting Brinewall | Camp
Draeven's quiet gestures indicating something in the direction of the lagoon successfully draws the monk's attention to the spot. Seeing nothing more than water, Kenan carries on.
Gentle waves lick the shore of the lagoon, foreshadowing the arrival of high tide. The group's footsteps take them back toward the ruined temple of Desna. Beyond this are more collapsed structures and the cemetery gates. As before, skeleton's propped up on wooden poles line the streets.
While the rest seek signs of the living, Rennyn's eyes fall upon the temple. Like the rest of the village, Lady Luck's sanctuary stands in ruin and is almost completely collapsed. No one has been attending this site. Turning to leave, the elf notices the remains of three skeletons near the side of the road. Their poles are much shorter than the rest of the villagers and are arranged in a crude triangle. Standing only a foot off the ground, the size of these three skulls suggest they'd once belonged to children. In the center of the triangle are almost a dozen round pebbles.
The pebbles represent marbles and the children have been arranged to portray them playing a children's game. Pondering on this is an eye opener - everyone in the village has been arranged as a re-enactment to give some semblance of a scene commonly seen on any given day in any similar town.
Rennyn frowns at the sight of the small skeletons but says nothing...
Draeven continues to scout ahead...
Sweeping the ruins of the village, nothing else of note catches your eyes. As the sun hangs perilously over the tree line, the choice of continuing on and up the road leading to the castle or returning to camp looms.
While helping to get set up for the evening Fenra's eyes keep glancing at the sun getting lower on the horizon and then to the direction the others set out. As the minutes turn into an hour she starts to get worried.
What are you doing out there, you're just supposed to be looking around, not looking for trouble.